Work-gage for type-writing machines.



No. 705,537. Patented July 22, I902.

G F. LAGANKE. WORK GAGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1900.)

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Patented July 22, [902' C. F. LAGANKE.

WORK GAGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

No. 705,537. 2 Patented July 22, I902.

c. r. LAGANKE.

WORK GAGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

. (Application Med Aug. 29, 1900.) 7 (No Model.) I s Sheets-Shaqt a.

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Patented July 22, I902.

alto anew G. F. LAGANKE.

WORK GAGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES. (Apphclhon filed Aug 89 1900) (NoModel) 5 Sheets-Shoot 4 Wflwmwo Z 0 m 2 x 2 .W u I. d e t n e t a P WORKGAGE FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1900.)

5 Sheets-$heet 5.

(No Model.)

V V m L mw wmw A NITED STATEsf PATENT" 'OFFICE.

OHARLES'FREDERIOK LAGANKE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FISHERTYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF TENNESSEE.

WORK-GAGE FOR TYPE-WRITINGMACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO."7 O5,537, dated July22, 1902.

' Application filed August 29, 1900. SerialNo. 28,441. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES FREDERICK LAGANKE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State ofOhio, have invented a new and useful Work-Gage for Type-Writin gMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates totype-writing maro chines of the class whichprint upon the work in a fiat condition and which are associated with afiat platen upon which the sheet or work is snpportedduring the printingoperation.

The special object of the present invention is to provide improved meansfor locatingjand" holding the work in the proper printing position uponthe platen, and in the accomplishment of this result contemplates whatmight be properly termed a work-gage Tassociated with the platen andhaving means in connection withsuitable work clamping or holdingmeans-as, for instance, the track-rails or guides for the machine-foralining a sheet upon the platen and holding it thereon in the printingposition.

Theinve'ntion also has in View the provision of a-work-gage of such atype as to be especially useful in connection with bills or other sheetshaving file-holes in their edges, which may be interlocked or engageddirectly with the element or elements of the gage attachment.

With these and many other objects in view, which will readily appear tothose familiarwith the art, the invention consists in the novelconstruction, combination, and relation of elements hereinafter morefully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential featnres'of thework-gage at tachment involving theprovision of means for alining the sheet upon the platen and in somephases of the invention for both holding and alining the sheet intheproper printing position are necessarily susceptible to considerablemodification without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention; but the preferred embodiment of the improvements is shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of atypeline 3 3 of Fig. 2,

port for one of the disappearing projections or pins. Fig. 5 is a Viewsimilar to Fig. 1, showing a modification in which the gage-abutment maybe in the form of a single continuous strip yieldingly projected abovethe top surface of the platen in the vertical plane of one of thetrack-rails. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the constructionshown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of a modificationshowing different means for permitting the track-rails to fit fiat uponthe platen and the work thereon. Fig. 8 is a lon gitudinal sectionalview of the construction shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective viewof another modification in which the gageabutment, consisting of aplurality ofigage projections or pins, is carried by the trackrail. Fig.10 is a longitudinal sectional View of the construction shown in Fig. 9.Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another modification similar to Fig. 9,in which the gage projections or pins are of varying lengths and arearranged to have a permanent seat in the platen, even when the rails areelevated, so as to act solely as an abutment or gage for alining thework. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the construction shownin Fig. 11.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings. j T x "i The improvements forming thesubjectmatter ofthe present application ar'e especially designed for usein connectionwith that class of type-writing machines cooperating with afiat platen for holding the work in a flat or spread-out condition.Machines of this type are largely intended for writing in books, onletter-sheets, for making up rec ords and reports, and in the laterdevelopment thereof have been found very useful for commercial billingpurposes. This is especially true of the Fisher type-writing machine andits platen, a form of which machine is exemplified by the patent to R.J. Fisher, No. 573,868, and inasmuch as the work-gage contemplated bythe present invention is a very important and useful adjunct to thestood that the particular kind of platen and the especial type ofprinting mechanism form no part of the present invention and are simplyshown to illustrate the preferred ways of carrying out the invention.Hence the only parts of the type-writing machine to which specialreference need be made are the fiat platen 1, upon which are designed tobe placed the main track-rails 2, which support the usual travelingprinting mechanism, and in some forms of the invention the maintrackrails or machine-guides 2 are shown as of the hinged type.

In carrying out the invention the essential feature preserved throughoutthe different forms is the idea of associating with the platen asuitable gage abutment having means for alining the sheet upon theplaten in the proper printing position and so arranged as to permit acooperating work clamping or holding memberas, for instance, thetrack-rails-to be placed flat upon the work. In some forms of theinvention the additional idea is involved of so constructing andarranging the gage-abutment that the same will not only constitutealining means for the work, but will also serve the purpose of holdingit in the proper printing position. In embodying these features intopractical constructions for carrying out the invention the gage-abutmentmay necessarily be located in different positions and in differentplanes either within or without the plane of the track-rails,and theabutment may also be constructed in different ways, so for illustrativepurposes one embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of thedrawings. In this form of the invention the gage-abutment is illustratedas consisting of alined gage projections 3, preferably in the form ofpins or studs, loosely seated in the g'uidingopenings 4, formed in theplaten. The gage projections 3 may be arranged in the vertical plane ofone or both of the main track-rails or machine-guides 2; but for aproper understanding of the invention it has only been deemed necessaryto show the gage-abutment at one side of the platen, so as to liebeneath one of the track-rails or guides 2.

The several gage projections 3, constituting the form of gage-abutmentshown in Fig.

1 of the drawings, are alined longitudinally of the platen, and anynumber of such projections may be utilized as may be found necessary ordesirable; but in the successful carrying out of the invention it isonly important that a sufficient number of the said projections 3 beemployed to form a gage-abutment longitudinally of the platen, withwhich may be engaged the edge of the bill or sheet to be alined orlocated upon the platen. The said gage elements or pins 3 have aprojection above the top surface of the platen, so that when the railsor guides 2 are removed from the top surface of the platen it is onlynecessary to slip the bill or other sheet upon the writing-surface andengage the edge there of with the alined series of gage pins orprojections, thus securing a correct alinement and positioning of thesheet, so that when the rails or guides are placed down upon the platenthe same, in connection with the gage pins or projections, will serve toproperly hold the work in place. By reason of the projection of the pinsor elements 3 above the top surface of the platen the bill or sheet maynot only be engaged at its edge against the inner sides of the said pinsor projections, but also in bills or sheets which are provided withfileholes in their edges the same may have these holes engaged directlyover the pins or projections, thus securing a positive holding of thebill or sheet, so as to prevent the possibility of it twisting orslipping out of position when the printing mechanism is workedthereover. This direct interlocking of the bill or sheet with the gagepins or projections 3 is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, while simplythe abutting of the edge of the bill or sheet against the pins orprojection is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

It is necessary in all forms of the invention to permit a work clampingor holding memher-as, for instance, the track-rails or guides 2-to fitflat upon the Work on the platen. This may be accomplished by variousarrangevarious forms of construction, and one expedient for securing theresult stated-that is, to permit the track-rails or guides to fit flatupon the work-is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, andconsists in mounting the pins or projections 3 in the guide-openings insuch a manner that the same may be properly termed disappearing pins orprojections. In this aspect of the invention the pins 3 are normallyheldin their projected positions with the upper ends thereof projectingabove the top surface of the platen through the medium ofspring-supports 5, arranged to bear against the lower ends of the pinsor projections 3 and either in the form of leaf-springs, as illustratedin Figs. 2 and 3, or in the form of coiled springs, as illustrated inFig. 4. In the construction described when the track-rails or guides arelowered the one lying in the vertical plane of the gage pins orprojections 3 will engage with the latter and depress the same out of anin- IIO ments of the gage-abutment as well as by I ply a continuousstrip 6, as illustrated in Figs.

5 and 6 of the drawings. This gage-strip occupies the same relativeposition to the platen and the rails as the pins or projections 3, thesame being conveniently mounted in a longitudinal groove 7 in the platenandyieldingly sustained in a projected position above the top surface ofthe platen through the mediurn of the spring support or supports 8,seated in the platen beneath the lower edge of the strip 6. In this formof the invention the bill, sheet, or other work of course can onlybealined in position by abutting against the side of the strip 6; but theyielding support of the strip 6 permits the same to disappear or bedepressed in the same manner as the pins or projections 3 upon thelowering of the rails or guides. I

In the forms of the invention already described-nan1ely, thoseillustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawingsan importantadvantage of the yielding support of the gage'abutment, whether in theform of the series of pins or a continuous strip, resides in the factthat the same permits the track rails or guides to be lowered flat uponthe work, and thereby hold it in the usual way, and another importantobject in constructing and mounting the gage-abutment so that the samewill disappear or be covered by the rails when the latter are lowered isto be noted in the fact that the spring support or supports for thegage-abutments are designed to be constructed su fficiently sensitiveand delicate so that the abutment, whether in the form of the series ofpins or a continuous strip, will disappear when the platen is used forbookwork and the page of the book is turned over the platen on top ofthe pins or strip and without marring or punching the paper in anydegree.

Another expedient for permitting the rails or guides to be lowered flatupon the work without interference from the gage-abutment is shown inFigs. 7 and 8 of the drawings and consists in having the gage pins orprojections 3 rigid with the platen and projecting above the top surfacethereof, so as to be engaged by the bill or sheet in the manner alreadydescribed; but in connection with the rigid pins or projections 3 thetrack rail or guide working thereover is provided in the under sidethereof with sockets 9, into which the gage pins or projections extend,and thereby become entirely covered by the rail when lowered, whilepermitting the latter to clamp flat upon the work.

It is obvious that instead of having the gage-abutment projecting fromthe platen the same may be projected from and carried by the track railor rails,as suggested by the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of thedrawings. In this modification the form of abutment consisting of pinsis shown, said pins being designated by the reference character 3 andprojecting downwardly from the under side of one of the track-rails, butbeing longitudinally alined, so that the same may be readily passedthrough the file-holes in the edges of the bill or sheet to be operatedupon. In the construction described the downwardly projecting gage pins3" are adapted to enter and fit within receivingsockets 10, formed inthe platen, thereby providing a construction which is a reversal of thatshown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings and permits of the same operationbeing carried out. However, in the construction illustrated in' Figs. 7and 8 it is necessary to have some auxiliary means when the rails areelevated for the alining of the bill or sheet, and this may beaccomplished by providing the platen at one edge thereof with alongitudinal upstanding auxiliary gage-abutment 11, preferably in theform of a continuous flange. This is plainly shown in Fig. 9 of thedrawlngs. i

A variation of the construction illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of thedrawings is shown in Figs. 11 and 12 and resides in having the gage pinsor projections (designated by the reference character 3") which extenddownwardly from the under side of the track-rails of varying length, butalways extending into the sockets or openings 10, formed in the platen.The said downwardly-extending gage pins or projections 3 increase inlength toward the front end of the track-rail, so that when the rails orguides are elevated above the writingsurface of the platen the lowerends of all of the pins or projections 3 will lie within the sockets oropenings 10 therefor and constitute practically a continuous abutmentagainst which the edge of the bill or sheet is placed for being properlyalined upon the platen. In this form of the invention the alined seriesof pins 3 of varying length subserve the same function as the continuousstrip 6 (shown in Fig. 5)-nan'1ely, as an abutment or gage for aliningthe work. In fact, in one aspect of my invention it comprehends,broadly, the arrangement of a work clamping or holding member arrangedto cooperate with a gage to aline and hold the work whether said memberand gage cooperate directly or serve merely to assist each other in thelocating and holding of the sheet in its proper position, it beingunderstood that these members cooperate irrespective of their relativepositions, provided either of them serves to retain the work-sheet inoperative relation with the other. In another aspect of my invention itcomprehends, broadly, the equipment of the platen with a gage devicereleased by the movement of the machine-rails. This will be betterunderstood when the platen and rails are considered as members betweenwhich the work is clamped. The gage in all forms of the invention islocated in a plane between these members, and it is therefore immaterialwhether the movement of the rails serves to release the gage from therails or from the platen, as in either event the release of the gagewill be such as to permit the withdrawal of the Work-sheet therefrom.

Several modifications have been shown to illustrate the many variationswhich may be resorted to in carrying out the invention; but inasmuch asother constructions might be utilized without changing the principleinvolved it will be understood that various changes in the form,proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages ofthis invention.

i In conclusion, attention may be called to the fact that the claims inthis application are designed to cover, broadly, the combination of awork-gage and a clamping member cooperating therewith to aline and holdthe worksheet in its proper position upon the platen as distinguishedfrom the subject-matter of my concurrent application, No. 52,221,wherein the claims are specific to a clamping member distinct from therails or guides and cooperating with a gage adj ust-ably carried by apermanent part of the platen, the constructions disclosed and claimed inboth of my applications being distinguished from the construction shownin the application of Hiram J. Halle, No. 39,720, wherein the work-gageis carried by a support distinct from the platen and is designed for useas an independent attachment either to the platen or to theplatensupport.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is.

1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, andthe main tracks or guides, of a work-gage arranged to lie in a planebeneath a track or guide and longitudinally thereof.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides, of a gage-abutment disposed longitudinally of theplaten and arranged to lie beneath a track or guide.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides, of a gage-abutment, and means for covering thegage-abutment upon the lowering of the tracks or guides upon the platen.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, andthe tracks or guides, of a work-gage abutment arranged beneath a trackor guide, and means for covering the abutment upon the lowering of thetrack or guide onto the platen.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of a work-gage arrangedparallel with a track or guide and consisting of an alined series ofprojections cooperating with a track or guide 6. In a type-writingmachine, the combination with the platen, and the tracks or guides, of awork-gage abutment consisting of a series of pins or projectionsarranged beneath a track or guide, andcooperating therewith.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides, of a work-gage abutment consisting of an alined seriesof pins or projections arranged beneath a track or guide, and means forcovering the pins or projections upon the lowering of the tracks orguides onto the platen.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of a yielding gage-abutmentfor the work and cooperating with a track or guide.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and-thetracks or guides, of a disappearing gage-abutment cooperating with atrack or guide.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides, of a yieldingly-projected gage-abutment, and means forcausing the gage-abutment to recede upon the lowering of the tracks orguides onto the platen.

11. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen and thetracks or guides, of a work-gage consisting of a series oflongitudinally-alined pins or projections arranged upon the platen inthe vertical plane of a track or guide, and adapted to be entirelycovered by the latter upon the lowering thereof.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen, and thetracks or guides, of a work-gage consisting of a series of alined andspaced pins loosely mounted in the platen in the vertical plane of atrack or guide, and spring-supports for yieldingly projecting the saidpins through the top surface of the platen.

13. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, andthe movable tracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of a work-gagedisposed in a plane between a track or guide and the platen andcooperating therewith.

14:. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen,and the tracks or guides for the traveling printing mechanism, of awork-gage disposed longitudinally of the platen cooperating with a trackor guide to aline and hold the work.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, andthe movable tracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of a work-gagecooperating with a track or guide to aline and hold the work, said gageconsisting of a series of pins or projections.

16. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, andthe movable IIO tracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of awork-gage cooperating with a track or guide to aline and hold the work,said gage consisting of a series of yielding pins or projections.

17. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, andthe movable tracks or guides for the traveling printing mechanism, of awork-gage located within the limits of the platen and cooperating with atrack or guide to aline and hold the sheet.

18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, andthe movable tracks or guides for the traveling printing .mechanism, of awork-gage supported on the platen and arranged in parallelism with atrack or guide and cooperating therewith to aline and hold the work.

19. A platen having gage-pins mounted thereon and projecting above theWriting-surface thereof, in combination with a clamping ber, of awork-gage arranged to lie wholly beneath said member.

22. In a type-writing machine, the o0mbination with a-flat platen, of ahinged clamping member, and a work-gage arranged in cooperative relationtherewith and disposed longitudinally of the platen.

, 23. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a flat platen anda clamping memher having hinged connection therewith, of a work-gagearranged to lie in a plane ontirelybeneath said hinged clamping member.

24. In atype-writing machine, the combination with a flat platen and themovable tracks or guides, of a gage device arranged for release by themovement of a rail or guide.

25. The combination with a fiat platen and a movable rail or guidedisposed for relative movement, of a gage device arranged for releasefrom one of said elements by their relative movement. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES FREDERICK LAGANKE/ Witnesses:

FRANK A. LEISENHEIMER, JOHN H. CLARKE.

